Ukonga Among Women in Rural Spaces aims to capture the real-life impact of community-led initiatives in Eshowe, where women have created income streams through poultry farming, vegetable cultivation and small businesses, reducing dependency on state support and strengthening local economies, says the NMCF.

Developed in partnership with the University of Zululand, the publication aims to combines academic research with lived experience, offering rare, evidence-based insight into how grassroots development can drive long-term change.

The project forms part of the Fund's Sustainable Livelihoods Programme, rooted in Nelson Mandela's vision of dignity, self-reliance and collective action, says the NMCF.

Women as Drivers of Local Economies

Ukonga Among Women in Rural Spaces tells the story of how women's self-help groups in Eshowe, within the uMlalazi Local Municipality, have become agents of transformation, driving financial independence, strengthening families and building resilient communities, says the NMCF.

According to the NMCF, through partnerships with community facilitators, including the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council, these groups have:

  • established small-scale farming operations, including poultry and vegetable production
  • created consistent household incomes
  • improved access to education and healthcare for their families, and
  • built stronger community support networks.

In many cases, women who previously had no stable income are now contributing directly to household finances, paying school fees and investing in their futures, adds the NMCF.

"These groups are proving that when women are given the tools and support to succeed, the impact extends far beyond the individual. It strengthens entire communities," says Dr Linda Ncube-Nkomo, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

From Lived Experience to Evidence-Based Insight

What aims to set Ukonga Among Women in Rural Spaces apart is its combination of personal storytelling and rigorous research, says the NMCF.

Led by the University of Zululand, the study aims to document both the lived experiences of participants and the measurable socioeconomic impact of the programme. The result is a practical, evidence-based model for community-led development, which aims to inform policy, guide implementation and be replicated in similar contexts across South Africa and beyond, adds the NMCF.

"This work bridges the gap between research and reality. It shows how local knowledge and lived experience can inform scalable, evidence-based solutions that respond directly to community needs," says Dr Sma Cele, a representative from the University of Zululand.

At the heart of the book are the voices of the women themselves, says the NMCF.

Members of the self-help groups describe how collective action enabled them to move from financial insecurity to stability, starting with limited resources, but building sustainable solutions through shared effort and knowledge, adds the NMCF.

"This book tells the story of how we came together and supported one another. We started small, but today we are able to provide for our families and create opportunities for our children. It shows what is possible when women work together," says Mma Winile Dlunge, a member of one of the self-help groups.

A Call to Action for Development Stakeholders

Beyond its storytelling, the book aims to offer a clear message to policymakers, development practitioners and partners: community-led solutions work and they can be scaled, says the NMCF.

By combining grassroots participation with structured support and research, the model aims to demonstrate that Eshowe offers a viable pathway for addressing poverty, inequality and limited access to opportunity in rural areas, adds the NMCF.

As the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund continues its work, Ukonga Among Women in Rural Spaces aims to stands as both proof of impact and a call to deepen investment in women-led, community-driven development, concludes the NMCF.

For more information, visit www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com. You can also follow the NMCF on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X.

*Image courtesy of contributor